Where Two or More
By David Drury
Please read Matthew
18:15-20 (look
to the bottom of the page to read it or click the link to go to it.)
Often times the quote “where two or more are gathered” is
recited when Christians speak of prayer.
The intent is to claim more power
in the prayers lifted in community rather than in isolation. While that is wonderful and pure motivation,
the actual quote from Matthew 18 is not in direct reference to the spiritual
power of a prayer meeting. Jesus is
instead clearly speaking about conflict management among his followers. It may have a “bonus application” to our
prayer life. But it has “direct
implications” for the way we go about solving disputes in the church.
In Matthew 18 conflict management starts at the point when
someone feels “sinned against.” Being
honest here is crucial. How often do we
feel slighted or offended but when it comes down to it we really haven’t been
sinned against? We need to simply offer
grace for such things and move on. But when
we are really and truly sinned
against Jesus offers only one path. He
does not say that we should spread gossip about the person. He does not say we should sin against them in
return. He simply says that we 1) go
to the source and if the person listens and confesses (the best
outcome) all is back to normal. However,
when this is not the case he offers the second level of biblical conflict
resolution. We should 2)
confirm with others that the person is refusing to listen. This way it is not simply “our word against
theirs.” This may look like a modern day
intervention where a group of disciples tells another that they are astray and
need to wise up.
If they still refuse to turn around we are instructed to 3)
take it to the entire church. At
this point the conflict resolution has evolved into a full-scale church
discipline scenario. All churches should
function with some process whereby this biblical plan for conflict resolution
can take place. In this teaching Jesus
Christ has delegated great power to us to “bind and loose” (a Rabbinic concept
meaning making a change to the interpretation of religious law). We should not take this role lightly nor
exercise it too sparingly. To go to the
final level and determine to 4) treat a former disciple as a pagan
is a sticky situation but one that is necessary for the completely unrepentant
believer.
So consider for a while who has sinned against you. Really
think about it. Do you have a name
coming to mind? Do you have two? Or perhaps a long list?
Let the slights and offenses that are
less than sin melt off of you today. But
for those occasions where you have truly been sinned against, take this four
step plan of Jesus in hand and begin the process. It all starts with you taking the bold step
to go to the source. As Jesus knew when
he gave us this plan, the process often ends with that simple step.
______________
"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out
the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that
person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and
go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three
witnesses. If that person still refuses to listen, take your case to the
church. If the church decides you are right, but the other person won't accept
it, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. I tell you this:
Whatever you prohibit on earth is prohibited in heaven, and whatever you allow
on earth is allowed in heaven. "I also tell you this: If two of you agree
down here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it
for you. For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am
there among them." - Matthew
18:15-20 (NLT)
_________
© 2006 by David Drury
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